Jennie's Journey

Let's rally together

It's been a difficult week for the city of Sunnyside and those involved in last Saturday's shooting incident in front of Centennial Square.

What I am frustrated by is the fact that some believe they should choose sides in the matter, but I do not believe there is a side you can pick that will comfort you.

By every account provided to me citizens cannot recall a time in the past 30 years when officers have felt it necessary to use lethal force.

Certainly the officers are trained to respond when they are fired upon, but I honestly do not believe the officers involved in last Saturday's shooting went to work thinking they would have to put that training to use.

I have had the opportunity to familiarize myself with the men and women serving with the Sunnyside Police Department. I know they have responded to a number of potentially dangerous calls and seen many gruesome things.

However, this incident will weigh heavily in their hearts for a very long time.

The family of the young man, too, is grieving a great loss. No one really knows why someone who reportedly was filled with great promise chose to act the way he did last Saturday.

His family, according to friends, is torn up and beside themselves. He didn't have a felony record, by nearly all accounts wasn't a known gang member and had much to live for.

So, his actions have many wondering what happened that led him to fire a gun at officers.

It is truly a sad, disheartening time for all involved, as well as for the entire community.

That loss has a ripple effect and it's my belief that the community should come together rather than divide itself into one camp or the other. Both sides have suffered and been victimized.

The event was a tragic one that will remain in our hearts and minds for years to come. It is how we as a community rally together that shows the true power of surviving something that should never have occurred.